Dish washer having a system for atomizing dishwashing liquid and method for the operation thereof

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher including at least one washing compartment for receiving dishes to be washed, to which washing liquid is applied during a washing operation, and an atomization facility for atomizing one of the washing liquid and the washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances, wherein the atomization facility includes an ultrasound generator, and a blower that conveys the atomized washing liquid into the washing compartment.

The subject matter of the present invention is a dishwasher with atleast one washing compartment and an apparatus for wetting the dishesarranged in the washing compartment with dishwashing liquid. Theinvention relates especially to a dishwasher with a system for evendistribution of washing liquid in the washing compartment as well as amethod for operation thereof. The invention further relates to anapparatus for dishwashers for dosed dispensing of active detergentsubstances, such as cleaning or rinsing agents.

Usually one or more washing processes are executed in a dishwasherduring a dishwashing program using washing liquid, with the washingliquid, to increase the cleaning power, being mixed with activedetergent substances, such as a cleaning agent of example. During thewashing processes with washing liquid will be sprayed by means of spraydevices into the washing compartment. The last washing process isgenerally followed by a rinsing phase, in which the washing liquid ismixed with a rinsing agent. It has proved to be advantageous for theresult of the cleaning for the washing liquid mixed with the cleaningagent to be distributed evenly onto the dishes even before the actualwashing process is undertaken and be able to act for a certain period onthe dirt on the dishes. With a few washing programs the dishes are thuswetted at the beginning of the washing program via the spray deviceswith washing liquid which has previously been mixed with cleaningagents.

Dishwashers with spray devices are known in which the washing liquid isdistributed by means of rotating spray arms in the washing compartment.Since the washing compartment in dishwashers usually has a rectangularoutline while the rotating spray arms usually have a circular area ofaction, the washing liquid is not distributed evenly in every area ofthe washing compartment. Dishwashers with spray devices are also knownin which the dishes have washing liquid applied to them via a fixedspray nozzle or spray head, which is arranged on the rear wall of thewashing compartment. Furthermore devices are known in the prior art inwhich a so-called spray floor applies washing liquid to the disheslocated above it. The disadvantage with these spray devices has provedto be that the spray jets emitted from the fixed spray nozzles producespray jets with predetermined directions, so that an even cleaning ofthe dishes distributed in the washing compartment is not guaranteed. Theknown mechanical distributor systems have the further disadvantage ofspray nozzles being used which are prone to blockage, by dishwashingresidues for example.

In the prior art there are already aids for atomizing liquids known fromother technical fields, such as from the cosmetic industry foratomization of hair sprays and perfumes, in medicine for atomizingmedical agents, in chemistry for misting of liquid reagents, as well asin the area of domestic technology as room air humidifiers. A few knownatomizers work by means of mechanical atomization, in which the liquidto be atomized is pressurized by mechanical means, such as by a valve.This causes the liquid to be atomized to flow in small drops and to forma liquid vapor. The overpressure needed is created by a pump process,for example manually with perfume atomizers, or by using overpressurereservoirs, e.g. propellant gas in hair sprays.

Such aids for atomization of washing liquid, through so-called atomizersor misters are also known in their use in dishwashers. In this case theatomization of the washing liquid mixed with active detergent substancescreates a mist of washing liquid droplets with small droplet diameters,which increases the effectiveness of the washing liquid mixed withactive detergent substances, since washing liquid droplets with smalldroplet diameters can penetrate into the dirt on the dishes. For examplea dishwasher is described in publication EP 487 474 in which thecleaning agent mixed with the washing liquid is atomized in the washingcompartment of the dishwasher by means of an ultrasound generator. Thesystem disclosed in EP 487 474 has the disadvantage however that,although the washing liquid fluid is atomized into a fine vapor, anefficient distribution of the vaporized washing liquid in the washingcompartment is not guaranteed.

One object of the present invention consists of providing a dishwasherwith an atomizer system which enables the most efficient possibleatomization as well as a rapid and even distribution of the washingliquid mixed with cleaning agent in the washing compartment of thedishwasher. A further object of the present invention consists ofproviding a dishwasher with an apparatus by which the required quantityof active detergent substances in the washing liquid is able to becontrolled for the optimum cleaning effect. Yet a further object of thepresent invention consists of providing a method for operating adishwasher with a system for atomization of the washing liquid which ischaracterized by high cleaning power.

These objects are achieved by the inventive dishwasher with the featuresin accordance with claim 1 as well as by a method with the features inaccordance with claim 11. Advantageous developments of the presentinvention are identified in the subclaims 2 to 10 and 12 to 19.

According to the present invention a dishwasher is proposed with atleast one washing compartment for receiving dishes to be washed, towhich washing liquid is applied during washing, and an atomizingapparatus for atomization of washing liquid, especially for atomizationof washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances, with theatomizing facility comprising an electrically operated ultrasoundgenerator as well as a blower through which the atomized washing liquidis conveyed into the washing compartment.

The present invention thus provides a dishwasher with a system foratomization of the washing liquid which, by using anelectrically-operated ultrasound generator or atomizer makes possible alow-cost system for effective vaporization and distribution of washingliquid as well as active detergent substances in the washing compartmentof the dishwasher. The atomization of the washing liquid into thesmallest possible droplet diameters results in the washing liquid andthe active detergent substances dissolved within it being able to attackthe dirt on the dishes more effectively, in that it can penetrate moreeffectively into the cracks and pores of the dirt. The even distributionof the vaporized washing liquid mixed with active detergent substancesinto the washing compartment by the blower guarantees an even action bythe vaporized washing liquid and the active detergent substancesdissolved within it on the dirt of the dishes. In this way on the onehand the efficiency of the active detergent substances is improved andon the other hand the cleaning power of the dishwasher overall isincreased, resulting in a reduction in the required quantity of activedetergent substances and thereby also a lower environmental impact.

The characteristics of the atomizer described above allow the dropletdistribution of the volume to be atomized, the precision of the volumeto be atomized and thereby the dosing of the active detergent substancesin the washing liquid to be significantly improved. The ultrasoundgenerator manages without the use of a nozzle, so that the danger ofblockages or constrictions of the spray nozzles in the atomizationdevice are avoided. This makes the system largely maintenance-free anddurable as well as suitable for multiple use by way of recycling.Because of the low power demand of the piezo drive of the ultrasoundgenerator the energy consumption is also reduced.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a piezoelectricatomizer is used as an electrically-driven vaporizer. Piezoelectricatomizers are based on piezo-electric substrates which are excited intooscillation electrically, with a liquid to be found on the surface ofthe piezoelectric substrate being atomized by the capillary waves thusproduced. In such case a piezoelectric atomizer can be used inparticular, in which a thin silicon membrane is made to oscillate by apiezoelectric ZnO layer, by which washing liquid is atomized by themembrane into droplets of different diameters.

For optimum operation of the inventive system for atomization of washingliquid the membrane of the atomizer or ultrasound generator arepreferably wetted essentially evenly with washing liquid. This preventsthe droplet diameters varying over a wide range on atomization of thewashing liquid. The atomizer or ultrasound generator is preferablysuited to be operated at a frequency of between 1 and 3 MHz and isadapted such that the droplets created by the atomization have adiameter of between 1 and 3 μm. The geometrical dimensions of themembrane, the liquid feed as well as the oscillation frequency employedare adapted accordingly as atomization parameters in order to create thedesired droplet size.

The cracks and pores or capillaries which usually occur with dirt ondishes are between approximately 1 and 6 μm is size. The atomization ofthe washing liquid into droplets with a diameter between 1 and 3 μmenables said droplets to easily penetrate into the capillaries of thedirt, which speeds up the loosening and macerating of the dirt. If theliquid to be vaporized is supplemented by active detergent substancesthe cleaning agent, especially the surfactant, causes a reduction of thesurface tension, typically by the factor 2 and thus leads to theformation of smaller droplets. This effect in its turn promotes thepenetration of the vaporized washing liquid into the pores and cracks ofthe dirt. This wets the dirt with washing liquid and the activedetergent substances dissolved therein with the atomized droplets and inthe process the active detergent substances penetrate directly into thecapillaries of the dirt.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the atomizerfacility includes a vaporization container in which the washing liquidor the fresh water is stored after atomization by the atomizationfacility and from which is conveyed at least partly into the washingcompartment of the dishwasher by the blower. This enables the washingliquid mixed with active detergent substances to be initially vaporizedhomogeneously before being introduced via the blower into the washingcompartment. This enables the washing liquid thus vaporized and mixedhomogeneously with the added active detergent substances to act in afast and effective manner if necessary on the dishes in the washingcompartment.

Expediently an inlet opening of the blower is connected to theatomization container for this purpose, in which the atomized washingliquid is stored, while an outlet opening of the blower is connected tothe inner chamber of the washing compartment. It is especiallyadvantageous for the atomization facility to be arranged in the floor,roof and/or wall area of the washing compartment and on a side directedtowards the inner chamber of the washing compartment to have at leastone opening for the passage of the atomized washing liquid. Such anarrangement allows both a space-saving accommodation of the atomizationfacility and also short paths for example from the atomization containervia the blower to the washing compartment.

The atomization facility is preferably connected to a fresh water pipevia which fresh water can be fed to the atomization facility. Inaccordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present inventionthe atomization facility features a cleaning agent feeding chamber intowhich active detergent substances, especially cleaning agents and/orrinsing agents can be introduced in order to come into contact with thewashing liquid or with the fresh water. In this cleaning agent feedchamber the active detergent substances are expediently mixed withwashing liquid and/or fresh water which allows the mixing-in ordissolving of the active detergent substances into the washing liquid bythe operation of the ultrasound generator to be supported. Instead ofthe active detergent substances being added to the washing liquid in theatomization facility, the washing liquid or the fresh water can also bemixed with active detergent substances before being fed to theatomization facility.

Advantageously a dosing facility with at least one reservoir for activedetergent substances is provided, which can supply cleaning agentsand/or rinsing agents, in one or more portions of a given amount to thewashing liquid. In such cases the active detergent substances arepreferably introduced to the washing liquid from the dosing facility orthe reservoir for the active detergent substances into the cleaningagent feed chamber of the atomization facility. This allows a precisedosing of the active detergent substances to be undertaken as required.

The above-mentioned objects are further achieved by a method foroperating a dishwasher of the type described above, with the methodcomprising the following steps:

-   -   Feeding washing liquid and/or fresh water into the atomization        facility,    -   Feeding and mixing in active detergent substances, especially        cleaning and/or rinsing agents into the washing liquid or into        the fresh water,    -   Atomizing or vaporizing the washing liquid mixed with active        detergent substances or the fresh water mixed with the active        detergent substances by means of an electrically-driven        ultrasound generator and    -   Introducing or conveying the vaporized washing liquid or the        vaporized fresh water into the washing compartment of the        dishwasher by means of a blower.

The sequence and execution of these method steps described below iscontrolled by the preferably electronic program control of thedishwasher. The method in accordance with the invention allows thewashing liquid to be initially mixed with active detergent substances,subsequently atomized by the ultrasound generator and then introducedand distributed via the blower into the washing compartment of thedishwasher. There the active detergent substances dissolved into thewashing liquid can, as vapor with small droplet diameters, effectivelypenetrate into the cracks and pores of the dirt on the dishes, with theblower guaranteeing the even distribution of the vaporized washingliquid in the washing compartment. This produces the advantages alreadydescribed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the inventive method thefeeding or mixing in of the active detergent substances, especially thefeeding or mixing in of cleaning agents in the form of tabs or powderinto the washing liquid, is supported by the operation of the ultrasoundgenerator. The capillary waves generated by the ultrasound generatorpromote and accelerate a residue-free dissolving of the cleaning agentin the washing liquid.

Expediently the introduction of the vaporized washing liquid mixed withactive detergent substances, especially cleaning agents, into thewashing compartment is undertaken before a first washing process isexecuted. This allows the system to wait for a predetermined period oftime between the Introduction of the vaporized washing liquid mixed withactive detergent substances into the washing compartment and theexecution of a first washing process or rinsing process, in which theactive detergent substances can act on dirt on the dishes. In this waythe dirt on the dishes is pre-loosened and can be more easily and morequickly removed in the subsequent washing process.

Alternatively it is also possible to vaporize the washing liquid orfresh water initially without active detergent substances and beforeintroduce it into the washing compartment before the first washingprocess is executed. This enables the washing liquid atomized into smalldroplets to act on the dirt of the dishes before the execution of thefirst washing process. In such cases the vaporized washing liquidpenetrates into the cracks and pores of the dirt, loosens it in this wayand enables it to be macerated. In the subsequent washing process thedirt can then be more easily and effectively removed from the dishes.

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive method the vaporizedwashing liquid mixed with active detergent substances, especially mixedwith rinsing agent, is introduced into the washing compartment beforethe execution of a rinsing process. In this way the rinsing agent can bedistributed before the rinsing cycle in fine droplets evenly and in thedesired dose onto the dishes in the washing compartment, which reducesthe amount of rinsing water required.

It is also of advantage for the introduction of the vaporized washingliquid mixed with rinsing agent to be introduced into the washingcompartment before the execution of a drying process. This enables thedroplets of the washing liquid mixed with the rinsing agent to act ascondensation carriers, so that the air humidity in the washingcompartment falls rapidly during the drying process and the overalldrying process is shortened.

Surfactants are generally used in cleaning processes as active detergentsubstances, which have the characteristic of lowering the surfacetension of liquid and thus of enhancing the cleaning effect. The activedetergent effectiveness of the surfactants depends to a large extent ontheir type and on their concentration in the cleaning agent solution. Ina further preferred embodiment of the inventive method the amount ofactive detergent substances supplied to the washing liquid or the freshwater before atomization by the atomization facility in the washingcompartment of the dishwasher is therefore able to be controlled.

The present invention will be explained below in greater detail takinginto account the enclosed drawings with reference to a preferredexemplary embodiment. The figures are as follows:

FIG. 1 a cross-section through an atomization facility for use in adishwasher in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention in the operating state during a cleaning process;

FIG. 2 a cross-section through an atomization facility for use in adishwasher in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 inthe operating state during a rinsing process; and

FIG. 3 a cross-section through an atomization facility for use in adishwasher in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 inthe operating state during a drying process.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through an atomization facility for use ina dishwasher in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention in the operating state during a cleaning process. Theatomization facility 1 comprises an electrically-operated ultrasoundgenerator 2, which creates ultrasound with a frequency of between 1 and3 MHz. The atomization facility 1 is connected to a fresh water line 8,via which fresh water is fed into the atomization facility 1. To thisend the fresh water is introduced directly into a cleaning agent feedingchamber 3, into which cleaning agents 4 in the form of tabs or in powderform can be introduced.

The opening of the cleaning agent feeding chamber 3 can be opened via ahingeable flap 9, by the hingeable flap 9 being moved into an openingposition as shown in FIG. 1. The hingeable flap 9 can also be hingedinto an operating position as well as the opened position, in which thefresh water introduced into the atomization facility 1 via the freshwater feed 8 is drawn off and taken directly out of the atomizationfacility 1 again. As well as the cleaning agent, 4 rinsing agents 15 canalso be introduced into the cleaning agent feeding chamber 3. In thecleaning agent feeding chamber 3 the active detergent substances 4, 15are mixed with washing liquid and/or fresh water, with the mixing-in ordissolving of the active detergent substances into the washing liquidbeing supported by the operation of the ultrasound generator 2. Insteadof the addition of the active detergent substances 4, 15 to the washingliquid in the atomization facility 1 the washing liquid or the freshwater can however already be mixed with active detergent substancesbefore being introduced into the atomization facility 1.

The ultrasound generator 2 atomizes the washing liquid located in thecleaning agent feeding chamber 3. A washing compartment 11 is arrangedon the atomization facility 1 so that the opening of cleaning agentfeeding chamber 3 comes out into a recess in the wall 10 of thevaporization container 11, so that the vaporized washing liquid canstill get from the cleaning agent feeding chamber 3 during theatomization by the ultrasound generator 2 with an opened flap 9 directlyinto the vaporization container 11.

From the vaporization container 11 the atomized washing liquid will beconveyed via a blower 12 into the washing compartment 11 of thedishwasher. In this way with washing liquid mixed with active detergentsubstances 4, 15 can be initially vaporized homogeneously before beingintroduced via the blower 12 into the washing compartment of thedishwasher. This enables the washing liquid thus vaporized andhomogeneously mixed with the added active detergent substances 4, 15 tobe applied rapidly and effectively if necessary to the dishes in thewashing compartment and to act on said dishes. To this end a suctionopening 13 of the blower 12 is connected to the washing compartment 11and an outlet opening 14 of the blower is connected to the inner chamberof the washing compartment.

The atomization facility 1 is equipped with a dosing facility 5 whichhas a reservoir 7 for active detergent substances, in which cleaningagents and/or rinsing agents 7 can be stored. Via a dosing mechanismwith a valve 6, the active detergent substances held in the reservoir 7are introduced as required in one or more portions of any given amountinto the cleaning agent feeding chamber 3 and mixed there with thewashing liquid or with fresh water. This enables a precise dosing of theactive detergent substances 4, 15 into the washing liquid to beachieved.

FIG. 1 shows the atomization facility 1 in the operating state during orbefore a cleaning process. To support cleaning, cleaning agents in theform of tabs 4 or in powder form are put into the cleaning agent feedingchamber 3 and initially dissolved there with fresh water or washingliquid. The initial dissolving is speeded up by the ultrasound generator2 by means of ultrasound. The solution produced is vaporized via theultrasound generator 2 and introduced into the washing compartment 11.From there the vaporized washing liquid is conveyed via the blower 12into the washing compartment and is distributed evenly there. Theapplication of vaporized washing liquid to the dishes located in thewashing compartment will pre-dissolve and macerate the dirt on thedishes. Since the vaporized washing liquid has cleaning agents added toit, the surface tension of the washing liquid is typically lowered bythe factor 2, which leads during atomization to formation of smalldiameters of the droplets produced and additionally improves theirpenetration into the dirt. This allows the dirt of the dishes to be moreefficiently removed in a subsequent cleaning process.

FIGS. 2 and 3 each show the same cross-section through the atomizationfacility shown by the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 1 inthe respective other operating states, so that in the followingdescription merely deals in more detail with the differences between theFigures. FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through the atomization facilityin the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 in theoperating state during a cleaning process. By contrast with FIG. 1, inFIG. 2 the cleaning agent in the form of a tab 4 is already dissolvedand mixed with the washing liquid. In the operating state of theatomization facility 1 shown in the figure, rinsing agent 15 isintroduced through the opened valve 6 of the dosing mechanism 5 from thereservoir 7 into the cleaning agent feeding chamber 3 and is mixed therewith the washing liquid or with fresh water.

In this way, to prepare for a rinsing process, the rinsing agent 15 isthinned with fresh water or rinsing water in the cleaning agent feedingchamber 3 and the mixture produced is vaporized by the ultrasoundgenerator 2 by means of ultrasound and introduced via the blower 12 intothe washing compartment 11, as described above. The fact that thedroplets with added rinsing agent of the mist created apply the rinsingagent to the dishes achieves a reduction in the surface tension on thedishes, which speeds up the rinsing process. This makes it possible, toexecute the rinsing process using only a small amount of water, insteadof with a washing liquor fill of almost 2 I of water.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through the atomization facility in theembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 in the operatingstate for a drying process. To support the drying process fresh waterwithout additives is vaporized in the cleaning agent feeding chamber 3by the ultrasound generator 2 by means of ultrasound and blown by blower12 into the inner chamber of the washing compartment. The dropletsvaporized in this way now represent condensation carriers for the vaporin the inner chamber of the washing compartment and thus bring about anaccelerated drying of the dishes. If the vapor is additionally blownonto a wall of the inner chamber of the dishwasher, this leads to acooling down of the dishwasher chamber wall and thereby to anaccelerated condensing of the water vapor on this wall. In this way thedrying process is shortened, which saves both time and also energy.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   1 Atomization facility-   2 Ultrasound generator-   3 Cleaning agent feeding chamber-   4 Cleaning agent-   5 Dosing facility-   6 Valve of the dosing facility 5-   7 Reservoir of the dosing facility 5-   8 Fresh water feed-   9 Hingeable flap of the atomization facility 1-   10 Wall of the vaporization container 11-   11 Dishwasher chamber-   12 Blower-   13 Inlet opening of the blower 12-   14 Outlet opening of the blower 12-   15 Rinsing agent-   16 Fresh water

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A dishwasher comprising: at least one washingcompartment for receiving dishes to be washed, to which washing liquidis applied during a washing operation; and an atomization facility foratomizing one of the washing liquid and the washing liquid mixed withactive detergent substances, wherein the atomization facility includes:an ultrasound generator; and a blower that conveys the atomized washingliquid into the washing compartment.
 22. The dishwasher as claimed inclaim 21, wherein the ultrasound generator is arranged in a floor areaof the dishwasher.
 23. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 21, whereinthe ultrasound generator includes a piezoelectric atomizer.
 24. Thedishwasher as claimed in claim 23, wherein the piezoelectric atomizerincludes a thin silicon membrane having a coating made from apiezo-electric material.
 25. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 21,wherein the blower conveys one of the washing liquid and fresh water.26. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 21, wherein a suction opening ofthe blower is connected to the washing compartment, and wherein anoutlet opening of the blower is connected to an inner chamber of thewashing compartment.
 27. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 21, whereinthe atomization facility is arranged in one of a floor, a ceiling, and awall area of the washing compartment, and wherein a side directedtowards an inner chamber of the washing compartment has at least oneopening that allows the atomized washing liquid to pass through.
 28. Thedishwasher as claimed in claim 21, comprising: at least one fresh waterline that supplies fresh water to the atomization facility.
 29. Thedishwasher as claimed in claim 21, wherein the atomization facilityincludes: a cleaning agent feeding chamber, wherein the active detergentsubstances are introduced into the cleaning agent feeding chamber withone of the washing liquid and fresh water.
 30. The dishwasher as claimedin claim 29, wherein the active detergent substances include one of acleaning agents and rinsing agents.
 31. The dishwasher as claimed inclaim 29, wherein the active detergent substances are mixed with one ofthe washing liquid and the fresh water in the cleaning agent feedingchamber.
 32. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 21, comprising: a dosingfacility having at least one reservoir for active detergent substances,the dosing facility configured to dispense one of cleaning agents andrinsing agents.
 33. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 21, wherein theultrasound generator operates at an excitation frequency of 1-3 MHz suchthat droplets having a diameter of substantially 1-3 μm are created. 34.A method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in claim 21, the methodcomprising: feeding one of the washing liquid and fresh water into theatomization facility; feeding and mixing the active detergent substancesinto the one of the washing liquid and the fresh water; one of atomizingand vaporizing one of the washing liquid mixed with the active detergentsubstances and the fresh water mixed with the active detergentsubstances by the ultrasound generator; and one of introducing andconveying the one of the vaporized washing liquid and the vaporizedfresh water into the washing compartment of the dishwasher by theblower, wherein the ultrasound generator is an electrically-operatedultrasound generator.
 35. The method for operating a dishwasher asclaimed in claim 34, wherein the active detergent substances include oneof cleaning agents and rinsing agents.
 36. The method for operating adishwasher as claimed in claim 35, wherein the vaporized washing liquidmixed with the active detergent substances having cleaning agents isintroduced in the washing compartment before a first washing process iscarried out.
 37. The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed inclaim 35, wherein the vaporized washing liquid mixed with activedetergent substances having rinsing agents is introduced into thewashing compartment before a rinsing process is carried out.
 38. Themethod for operating a dishwasher as claimed in claim 35, wherein thevaporized washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances havingrinsing agents is introduced into the washing compartment before adrying process is carried out.
 39. The method for operating a dishwasheras claimed in claim 34, wherein a specific period of time in which theactive detergent substances act on dirt on dishes in the washingcompartment of the dishwasher is between the introduction of thevaporized washing liquid mixed with active detergent substances into thewashing compartment and an execution of one of a first washing processand a rinsing process.
 40. The method for operating a dishwasher asclaimed in claim 34, comprising: controlling an amount of activedetergent substances which is supplied to the one of the washing liquidand the fresh water before atomization by the atomization facility inthe washing compartment of the dishwasher.
 41. The method for operatinga dishwasher as claimed claim 34, comprising: controlling an inflow andan amount of the fresh water being fed to the atomization facility. 42.The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in claim 34, wherein anoperation of the ultrasound generator facilitates one of the feeding andthe mixing of the active detergent substances into the one of thewashing liquid and the fresh water.
 43. The method for operating adishwasher as claimed in claim 35, wherein an operation of theultrasound generator facilitates one of the feeding and the mixing ofthe active detergent substances having cleaning agents into the one ofthe washing liquid and the fresh water.
 44. The method for operating adishwasher as claimed in claim 34, wherein the fresh water is mixed withthe active detergent substances before being fed to the atomizationfacility.
 45. The method for operating a dishwasher as claimed in claim35, wherein the fresh water is mixed with the active detergentsubstances having the one of the cleaning agents and rinsing agentsbefore being fed to the atomization facility.